Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  Great Mini SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Great Mini SUV - December 8 - 7:17 pm

  I drive my Equinox 150 miles at least a day. I have had no problems to report. My wife and I love to get into the Equinox and driving. The vehicle does ride a little loud and has a big turn radius. But coming from a truck and a Buick station wagon the turning radius really isnt an issue. My biggest complaint is the gas tank being on the passenger side.

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  A nice suprise from Chevrolet - 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
  By Renee - December 8 - 2:50 pm

  I had honestly not heard of this car until I visited the dealership. I had come in for an Impala and drove away with the Maxx! I liked it instantly, and test drove alot of cars. I was looking at the Ford Fusion for the same price, but the Maxx offered a standard V6, ABS, and a remote starter for less, and drove better! You truly get a lot for your money.

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  Impala SS: Update to my 01/21/08 Review - 2007 Chevrolet Impala
  By Morgan Hayden - December 8 - 12:05 pm

  I thought I would update my 01/21/08 review to help fellow readers my ratings have been adjusted a little bit. Since Jan 08 I have added a complete Magnaflow exhaust system, K&N intake, and had the car extensively dynotuned. I realize these are steps most owners will not take to fully explore the SSs capabilities, but if you do-- wow! Highway MPG is up slightly, 0-60 times are down to the low 5s, HP is now around 335. Friends and clients often ask to drive the car they love the room, the power, and how tight the car feels. My SS is Silverstone Metallic & garners many "Thats so classy!" comments. The only downside is that Ive had the steering shaft replaced under warranty.

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  Not a good SUV at all - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By ericx - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV hoping it would be the best yet. However, all I have had is problems! The transmission was just replaced. I stalled out on a freeway ramp. Started smoking at 1,500 miles. The interior needs some work. The shifter should be on the column. Radio is confusing. Plastic is hard and ugly. Outside is the ugliest Chevy I have ever seen.

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  Not so happy - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By posimpala - December 7 - 9:02 pm

  I bought this car as a used fleet car. It was well taken care of before I got it from my step-mom whose company sold it to me for a great deal. Well, it was good until I hit 125000 miles and then the engine started to fall apart. The heads have come off the rocker arms several times, the guy who fixes my car says he has never seen it but it seems like they were made from real cheap material. Also, the cheap plastic body parts dont hold up well when it is cold as I had a door handle crack off on the rear passenger side one very cold morning. Other than those issues, the car is good.

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  I like it better than our CRV. - 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Boarpower - December 7 - 8:03 pm

  We love the new 2010 design. Great features for a smaller SUV. We love all the options you get for your money. We had a 2004 CRV and had NO problems with it in 100,000 miles, but this feels like a Caddy compared to the Honda.

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  So far so good! - 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
  By Johnny Thunders - December 7 - 7:43 am

  Im very tall (nearing 7) so its hard to find a vehicle that just plain fits; other bells and whistles are a secondary concern. The Traverse is not only comfortable for me but offers incredible passenger room and storage capacity. Lots of great/thoughtful design choices in the cabin. Front seats are the most comfortable in the crossover class by a mile. Ive been impressed by how well the A/C system heats/cools the large space, as well as how good the Bose speakers sound. The drive is superb: quiet, powerful, smooth. This should be high on the list for anyone in the SUV/crossover/minivan market. Its been years since Ive had a GM, but the Traverse might well have brought me back for good.

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  My Favorite Car - 2002 Chevrolet Impala
  By pinqkandi - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I just recently purchased a 2002 Impala LS. I love the car - its my favorite car Ive ever had. Its comfortable, good looking, and very adequetly powered. Ive had no problems what so ever. One of the things I love most is the integrated OnStar system - its so powerful. You can check your email with the rearview mirror! Many more things are spectacular about this car. In short: youll love it.

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  going deaf, you will have to speak up! - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By S.S. - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have 4000 miles on this vehicle with four trips to the service dept. The engine and overall ride is nice, but it has such extreme wind noise through the doors that it is very uncomfortable and distracting. Dont upgrade the stereo you will not be able to enjoy it! They tell me the drivers door was probably welded to the frame wrong! Where is your quality control Chevrolet? We work hard for our money and will take it elsewhere if you cant make a quality product or fix these mistakes!

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  Transmission issue - 2008 Chevrolet Suburban
  By chevygolfguy - December 6 - 10:58 pm

  This is our 5th Suburban and the only keep getting better. We bought an LTZ that was a company PIP vehicle. Bought it loaded with 10k miles on it. Have already put 7k more. Rides like a dream. Found out I have a transmission leak at the bell housing. I am not happy about that especially since it was driven by a GM exec and cared for by GM. Dealer is working on it as I write this. Hopefully it will be like new when done. It is by far the best truck on the road. Just hope GM is around to honor the remainder of the warranty if I need it.